The UK heatwave has claimed two victims as the country is now on smog alert with a plume of pollution set to engulf the country over the coming days. A woman cooling off in the sea from the hot temperatures died yesterday afternoon after being pulled from the waves at Wittering beach, Sussex. Despite frantic attempts to save her, the woman died.

In Manchester, emotional tributes were being paid to a teenager who drowned while swimming with friends on the scorching hot day yesterday at Greenbooth Reservoir outside Rochdale. The teen, named by friends as Paul Lawson, was remembered by grief-stricken pals as a “great guy” and keen footballer who was “loved by so many”. The college student disappeared under the water as people cooled off.

Meanwhile, asthmatics and people with other health conditions are warned to take extra care as searing heat drives soaring ozone levels. The warnings come as the UK bakes in a near record heatwave with parts of the country set to get hotter this week.